Found in the shadow of the Eastern Himalayas’ Kanchenjunga mountain and in a dense rhododendron forest, the remote Taj Guras Kutir Resort & Spa outside Gangtok, India is all about connecting with nature’s natural beauty.

To that end, New Delhi-based firm Studio Lotus aimed to create a home-like oasis out of an existing building. Tribal art, references to Buddhist monasteries, and vibrant textiles and upholstery throughout accent the pervasive use of local stone and timber, the latter of which has been reinterpreted via stained and flamed finishes.

Guests enter through a courtyard with two reflecting pools, which “serve as an intentional pause for guests to recover from the fatigue of their long journey,” says Ankur Choksi, principal and cofounder of Studio Lotus. The team reworked much of the existing structure to create a more intimate scale and “cocoon guests from the occasional inclement weather,” he explains.

However, the double-height lobby bar and main dining area were retained to preserve views of the sunrise over the mountains. Design flourishes abound, including a handknotted wool carpet in the dining hall that reaffirms local artisanal traditions. “Through gestures inspired by regional materials and vocabulary, we curated the spatial experiences to have a distinctive personality,” Choksi adds.

This article originally appeared in HD’s September 2025 issue.